The Colts have yet to use their IR-DTR spot this season but there is some reason to believe that Trent Cole could be their one player to come back. Cole was spotted at practice today working with the team’s rehab staff, a first for the season (Twitter link via Stephen Holder of the Indy Star). It’s not immediately clear whether Cole can play again this year, but it is a promising sign.
Cole was placed on injured reserve in September with a back injury and he had surgery soon after. Typically, back surgery is the type of procedure that would knock a player out for an entire season. However, it’s possible that Cole’s recovery is ahead of schedule and at 4-5, the season is still alive for Indianapolis.
The 34-year-old signed a two-year, $14MM contract with the Colts in March of 2015. In his first year with the team, Cole had just three sacks. This offseason, he accepted a pay cut that trimmed his cap hit for 2016 from $7.125MM to $4.875M, which is perhaps more in line with his ability at this stage. Eligible for free agency in the spring, a return this season could be Cole’s only chance at keeping his paycheck at the same level.